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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 include the accounts and operating results of the Company and the Operating Partnership. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
In order to conform with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), in preparation of our consolidated financial statements we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short term maturity of these investments.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes cash held in escrow in connection with gross proceeds from the sales of certain industrial properties. These sales proceeds will be disbursed as we exchange into properties under Section 1031 of the Code. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short term maturity of these investments. For purposes of our consolidated statements of cash flows, changes in restricted cash are aggregated with cash and cash equivalents.
Investment in Real Estate and Depreciation
Investment in real estate is carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We review our properties on a quarterly basis for impairment and provide a provision if impairments exist. To determine if an impairment may exist, we review our properties and identify those that have had either an event of change or event of circumstances warranting further assessment of recoverability (such as a decrease in occupancy, a decline in general market conditions or a change in the expected hold period of an asset or asset group). If further assessment of recoverability is needed, we estimate the future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the property and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future net cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the property or group of properties, we will recognize an impairment loss based upon the estimated fair value of the property or group of properties. For properties we consider held for sale, we cease depreciating the properties and value the properties at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value, less costs to dispose. If circumstances arise that were previously considered unlikely, and, as a result, we decide not to sell a property or group of properties previously classified as held for sale, we will reclassify the properties as held and used. Properties are measured at the lower of their carrying amounts (adjusted for any depreciation and amortization expense that would have been recognized had the properties been continuously classified as held and used) or fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell. We classify properties as held for sale when all criteria within the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (the "FASB") guidance on the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets are met.
Interest costs, real estate taxes, compensation costs of development personnel and other directly related costs incurred during construction periods are capitalized and depreciated commencing with the date the property is substantially completed. Upon substantial completion, we reclassify construction in progress to building, tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Such costs begin to be capitalized to the development projects from the point we are undergoing necessary activities to get the development ready for its intended use and cease when the development projects are substantially completed and held available for occupancy. Interest is capitalized using the weighted average borrowing rate during the period.
Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method based on the following useful lives: 
 
Years
Buildings and Improvements
7 to 50
Land Improvements
5 to 20
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
3 to 10
Tenant Improvements
Lease Term

Construction expenditures for tenant improvements, leasehold improvements and leasing commissions (inclusive of compensation costs of personnel attributable to leasing) are capitalized and amortized over the terms of each specific lease. Capitalized compensation costs of personnel attributable to leasing relate to time directly attributable to originating leases with tenants that result directly from and are essential to originating those leases and would not have been incurred had these leasing transactions not occurred. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized.
Upon acquisition of a property, we allocate the purchase price of the property based upon the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which generally consists of land, buildings, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and intangible assets including in-place leases, above market and below market leases, below market ground lease obligations and tenant relationships. We allocate the purchase price to the fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property by valuing the property as if it were vacant. Acquired above and below market leases and below market ground lease obligations are valued based on the present value of the difference between prevailing market rates and the in-place rates measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above market leases and below market ground lease obligations, and the initial term plus the term of any below market fixed rate renewal options for below market leases. The above market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental revenue over the remaining term of the respective leases, and the below market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial terms plus the terms of any below market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases.
The purchase price is further allocated to in-place lease values and tenant relationships based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant's lease and our overall relationship with the respective tenant. The value of in-place lease intangibles and tenant relationships, which are included in the line item Deferred Leasing Intangibles, Net are amortized over the remaining lease term (and expected renewal periods of the respective lease for tenant relationships) as adjustments to depreciation and other amortization expense. If a tenant terminates its lease early, the unamortized portion of the tenant improvements, leasing commissions, above and below market leases, the in-place lease value and tenant relationships is immediately accelerated and fully amortized on the date of the termination.
As defined by GAAP, a business is an integrated set of activities and assets that is capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return in the form of dividends, lower costs or other economic benefits directly to investors or other owners, members or participants. We expect most acquisitions to be treated as asset acquisitions rather than business combinations as our typical acquisitions consist of properties whereby substantially all the fair value of gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single asset (land, building, and in-place leases), which is treated as an asset acquisition. Commencing January 1, 2017, acquisition costs related to asset acquisitions are capitalized to the basis of the acquired asset.
Deferred leasing intangibles, net of accumulated amortization, included in our total assets and total liabilities consist of the following: 
 
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
In-Place Leases
$
19,971

 
$
19,921

Above Market Leases
2,569

 
2,298

Below Market Ground Lease Obligation
1,643

 
1,688

Tenant Relationships
5,495

 
6,574

Total Included in Total Assets, Net of $26,337 and $29,604 of Accumulated Amortization
$
29,678

 
$
30,481

Below Market Leases
$
9,560

 
$
10,355

Total Included in Total Liabilities, Net of $11,356 and $10,578 of Accumulated Amortization
$
9,560

 
$
10,355


Amortization expense related to in-place leases and tenant relationships was $6,267, $6,648 and $6,717 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Rental revenues increased by $1,095, $1,116 and $996 related to net amortization of above and below market leases. We will recognize net amortization expense related to deferred leasing intangibles over the next five years, for properties owned as of December 31, 2018 as follows: 
 
Estimated
Amortization
of In-Place
Leases and Tenant
Relationships
 
Estimated Net
Increase to
Rental Revenues
Related to
Above and Below
Market Leases
2019
$
5,779

 
$
1,048

2020
$
4,988

 
$
943

2021
$
3,391

 
$
808

2022
$
3,013

 
$
784

2023
$
2,615

 
$
533


Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. These fees and costs are being amortized over the terms of the respective loans. Unamortized debt issuance costs are written-off when debt is retired before the maturity date. Debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the respective debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The debt issuance costs related to the unsecured credit facility are included in the line item Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, Net on the consolidated balance sheets.
Investment in Joint Venture
Investment in joint venture represents a noncontrolling equity interest in one joint venture. We account for our investment in this joint venture under the equity method of accounting, as we did not have a majority voting interest, operational control or financial control. Control is determined using accounting standards related to the consolidation of joint ventures and variable interest entities ("VIEs"). Under the equity method of accounting, our share of earnings or losses of a joint venture is reflected in income as earned and contributions or distributions increase or decrease our investment in joint venture as paid or received, respectively. Differences between our carrying value of our investment in this joint venture and our underlying equity in such joint venture are amortized and included as an adjustment to our equity in income (loss).

On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of our investment in this joint venture may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if our estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the value of the investment.
Limited Partner Units
Limited Partner Units are reported within Partners' Capital in the Operating Partnership's balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 because they are not redeemable for cash or other assets (a) at a fixed or determinable date, (b) at the option of the Unitholder or (c) upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the Operating Partnership. Redemption can be effectuated, as determined by the General Partner, either by exchanging the Units for shares of common stock of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment, or by paying cash equal to the fair market value of such shares.
The Operating Partnership is the only significant asset of the Company and economic, fiduciary and contractual means align the interests of the Company and the Operating Partnership. The Company's Board of Directors and officers of the Company direct the Company to act when acting in its capacity as sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. Because of this, the Operating Partnership is deemed to have effective control of the form of redemption consideration. As of December 31, 2018, all criteria were met for the Operating Partnership to control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of the Company's common shares required to be delivered upon redemption of all remaining Limited Partner Units.
Stock Based Compensation
We measure compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest.
Net income is allocated to common stockholders or Unitholders and participating securities based upon their proportionate share of weighted average shares or Units plus weighted average participating securities. Participating securities are unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. Restricted stock or restricted Unit awards granted to employees and directors are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable dividend or dividend equivalents at the same rate as common stock or Units.
Revenue Recognition
Rental income is recognized on a straight-line method under which contractual rent increases are recognized evenly over the lease term. Tenant recovery income includes payments from tenants for real estate taxes, insurance and other property operating expenses and is recognized as revenue in the same period the related expenses are incurred by us.
If the lease provides for tenant improvements, we determine whether the tenant improvements are owned by the tenant or us. When we are the owner of the tenant improvements, any tenant improvements funded by the tenant are treated as lease payments which are deferred and amortized into income over the lease term. When the tenant is the owner of the tenant improvements, we record any tenant improvement allowance funded as a lease inducement and amortize it as a reduction of revenue over the lease term.
Revenue is generally recognized on payments received from tenants for early lease terminations upon the effective termination of a tenant's lease and when we have no further obligations under the lease.
We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts against the portion of tenant accounts receivable including deferred rent receivable, which is estimated to be uncollectible. The Tenant Accounts Receivable line item is shown net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $545 and $310 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Deferred Rent Receivable line item is shown net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,444 and $1,557 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For accounts receivable we deem uncollectible, we use the direct write-off method.
Gain on Sale of Real Estate
Asset sales are generally recognized when control of the asset being sold is transferred to the buyer. As the assets are sold, their costs and related accumulated depreciation, if any, are derecognized with resulting gains or losses reflected in net income. Estimated future costs to be incurred by us after completion of each sale are accrued and included in the determination of the gain on sales.
Income Taxes
The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its adjusted taxable income to its stockholders. Management intends to continue to adhere to these requirements and to maintain the Company's REIT status. As a REIT, the Company is entitled to a tax deduction for some or all of the dividends it pays to shareholders. Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income taxes as long as it currently distributes to shareholders an amount equal to or in excess of the Company's taxable income. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years.
REIT qualification reduces, but does not eliminate, the amount of state and local taxes we pay. In addition, certain activities that we undertake may be conducted by entities which have elected to be treated as a TRS. TRSs are subject to both federal and state income taxes. 
We may also be subject to certain federal excise and franchise taxes if we engage in certain types of transactions. A benefit or provision has been made for federal, state and local income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The provision for excise and franchise taxes has been reflected in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and has not been separately stated due to its insignificance.
In accordance with partnership taxation, each of the partners of the Operating Partnership is responsible for reporting their share of taxable income or loss.
Earnings Per Share and Earnings Per Unit ("EPS" and "EPU")
Basic net income per common share or Unit is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or Unitholders by the weighted average number of common shares or Units outstanding for the period.
Diluted net income per common share or Unit is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or Unitholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares or Units outstanding and any dilutive non-participating securities for the period.
Derivative Financial Instruments
During the normal course of business, we have used derivative instruments for the purpose of managing interest rate risk on anticipated offerings of long term debt. Receipts or payments that result from the settlement of derivative instruments used to fix the interest rate on anticipated offerings of senior unsecured notes are amortized over the life of the derivative or the life of the debt and is included in interest expense. Receipts or payments resulting from derivative instruments used to convert floating rate debt to fixed rate debt are recognized as a component of interest expense.
To qualify for hedge accounting, derivative instruments used for risk management purposes must effectively reduce the risk exposure that they are designed to hedge. In addition, at inception of a qualifying cash flow hedging relationship, the underlying transaction or transactions, must be, and are expected to remain, probable of occurring in accordance with our related assertions. We recognize all derivative instruments in the line items Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, Net or Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated in hedging relationships or that do not meet the criteria of hedge accounting are recognized in earnings. For derivative instruments designated in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships, changes in fair value related to the effective portion of the derivative instruments are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), whereas changes in fair value of the ineffective portion are recognized in earnings. If it is determined that a derivative instrument ceases to be highly effective as a hedge, or that it is probable the underlying forecasted transaction will not occur, we discontinue its cash flow hedge accounting prospectively and records the appropriate adjustment to earnings based on the current fair value of the derivative instrument. The credit risks associated with derivative instruments are controlled through the evaluation and monitoring of the creditworthiness of the counterparty. In the event that the counterparty fails to meet the terms of the derivative instruments, our exposure is limited to the fair value of agreements, not the notional amounts.

Fair Value
GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. The guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value based on observable and unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions of pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. We estimate fair value using available market information and valuation methodologies we believe to be appropriate for these purposes. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three broad levels:
Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date;
Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability; and
Level 3 - unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists for the asset or liability.
Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement. Considerable judgment and a high degree of subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, they are not necessarily indicative of amounts that we would realize on disposition.
Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale
We report results of operations from real estate assets that are sold or classified as held for sale as discontinued operations provided the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and financial results.
We generally classify certain properties and related assets and liabilities as held for sale when the sale of an asset has been duly approved by management, a legally enforceable contract has been executed and the buyer's due diligence period, if any, has expired. At such time, the respective assets and liabilities are presented separately on the consolidated balance sheets. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.
Segment Reporting
Management views the Company, inclusive of the Operating Partnership, as a single segment based on its method of internal reporting.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Standards Adopted
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 requires entities to recognize revenue when they transfer promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of the standard did not impact our financial position or results of operations.
In August 2016 and November 2016, the FASB issued new ASUs impacting the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" intends to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash" requires restricted cash be added to cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of cash flows. We adopted both standards on January 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $25,336 and $11,602 of restricted cash was included in "Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash" in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Also, we reclassified $1,453 of prepayment penalties relating to the payoff of certain mortgage loans from operating activities to financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The following table presents a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within our Consolidated Balance Sheets to amounts reported within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
2018
 
2017
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
43,102

 
$
21,146

Restricted Cash
7,271

 
25,336

Total Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
$
50,373

 
$
46,482


New Accounting Standards Issued but not yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases" ("ASU 2016-02"), which amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting. ASU 2016-02 will require lessees, at lease commencement to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. We are a lessee on a limited number of ground and office leases. The expense pattern for these leases will be consistent with that of our historical recognition. The accounting for lessors will remain largely unchanged from existing GAAP standards with the underlying leased asset being reported and recognized as a real estate asset and rental income being recognized on a straight line basis over the lease term. However, ASU 2016-02 requires lessors to expense certain initial direct costs that are not incremental in negotiating a lease as incurred. We anticipate this change will reduce our EPS/EPU on an annual basis by approximately $0.01.
ASU 2016-02 is effective for us on January 1, 2019. We expect to adopt the practical expedients available for implementation under the standard. By adopting these practical expedients, we will not be required to reassess (1) whether an expired or existing contract meets the definition of a lease; (2) the lease classification for expired or existing leases; or (3) costs previously capitalized as initial direct costs. Furthermore, the FASB finalized an amendment to ASU 2016-02 which will allow us an optional election to not separate non-lease components from related lease components that otherwise would have been accounted for separately under the new standard. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, we will be required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on our consolidated balance sheets equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments required under our ground and office leases, which we believe will be approximately $12,500. We are finalizing our discount rate analysis which is a key determinant in the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. Details of our future minimum rental payments under ground and office leases at December 31, 2018 are disclosed in Note 14. We plan to implement this guidance on a prospective basis.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeting Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" ("ASU 2017-12"). ASU 2017-12 eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings. ASU 2017-12 is required to be adopted in 2019 using a modified retrospective approach. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-12 to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.